Manchester United believed to be the hot favorites for next season’s Champions League spot
Manchester United’s return to action was nothing less than a topsy-turvy affair.
Twenty minutes left into the game and Tottenham Hotspur leading 1-0 on the scoreline, one of the cameras caught two protagonists of last night’s encounter – Jose Mourinho and Bruno Fernandes – exchanging some words in Portuguese.
Although their conversion was not seemed to have lasted long, it was imminent that Mourinho was trying to persuade one of United’s up-and-coming superstar with his cajoling world; at least we all know how much Mourinho loves playing those mind games with opposing players – just walk around the sideline and throw unwanted and unfathomed words to drive opponents’ mindset away from the game.
However, yesterday, that was not the case. Jose Mourinho’s long-standing friend Paul Pogba‘s trickery forced Eric Dier, who was playing as a makeshift centre-back, to commit a foul inside the 18-yard box.
More from Red Devil Armada
- Aaron Wan Bissaka out for ‘several weeks’ with injury
- Manchester United break an unwanted record after Brighton loss
- Sofyan Amrabat set to miss game against Brighton
- Preview: Manchester United vs Brighton – What you need to know
- Jadon Sancho set to train away from first team squad
Thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ composure, a stormy but steady right-footed strike ended up in the nets past an outstanding Hugo Lloris to cancel out Steven Bergwijn‘s opener at the 27th minute of the match that left both Harry Maguire and David de Gea in utter limbo regarding their in-game performances.
The mega-clash on Friday night finally ended with a 1-1 scoreline despite Manchester United dominating most part of the game. It was a hard-luck for Ole Gunnar Solskaer and his men that they didn’t find a winner in what was a ‘dominant performance‘ according to the gaffer of the Mancunian club.
Although some believe the draw was a good result considering the fact that there was no football for the last three months, some have started questioning over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s in-game tactics.
That being said, Manchester United sit currently 5th in the PL points table with 46 points but could slip down to 6th should Sheffield United, who are currently two points off fifth spot, manage to win their next game on Sunday against Newcastle United.
However, Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, speaking to Premier League Productions (via Express Sport), claimed that United are now the favourites to secure the top four berth, saying:
"“The squad looks healthy now, even players coming off the bench. You’ve got Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard who didn’t even get on.“Brandon Williams, who has done so well. The squad is looking strong.“If they do well in the cups, there’s going to be a lot of games, so they need a big squad.“I’ve seen enough tonight to think if they play like that, they’ve got a real chance of getting into the top four.”"
Whether they really secure Champions League football this season drastically depends on the performances of their London rivals Chelsea FC. The Londoners are currently 4th on the table, having garnered 48 points from 29 games.
While the distance between United and Chelsea, who are going to play their 30th Premier League game against relegation-threatened, Aston Villa, is of two points right now; a win against Villa could widen the gap to five points.
Yet, the surge of optimism for Manchester United fans is that Chelsea will have to face Liverpool and Manchester City, who are in a terrific form, before the end the campaign, while United don’t have any troublesome fixture against the so-called ‘top-six’ in the Premier League.
Henceforth, it is believed that should United maintain their 12-match unbeaten streak to the end of the season and covert their draws to triumphs, the dream would not be a dream anymore by the end of the 2019-20 Premier League season.
Next. United are being used as a ploy in Barca deal. dark
Do you think United could maintain their unbeaten run for the rest of the season?